Hamilton Academical FC 2

FC Basel 1893 2

Hamilton Accies U19's booked their place in the next round of the UEFA Youth League with a Ross Connelly inspired penalty shootout win over Swiss side FC Basel.

A 95th minute goal from Sean Slaven saved Accies from defeat, after it looked likely that Basel would progress on away goals, thanks to strikes from Tician Tushi and Leanardo Gaudiano.

Connelly made himself a hero in the penalty shootout, saving three Basel penalties to ensure an historic victory for Jason Scotland's side.

Accies started brightly and were presented their first opportunity within the first ten minutes. Charlie Reilly's cross into the box was headed goal-wards by Adam Douglas, but it was a comfortable save for Niklas Steffen. Basel had their first chance soon after, Tushi's header from a Basel corner creeping past the left hand post.

On the 16th minute Andrew Winter made himself an Accies hero. He won the ball in midfield and rifled a stunning strike into the bottom left hand corner of Steffen's goal to send Accies into the lead.

Accies were nearly caught sleeping soon after their opening goal. Leonardo Gubinelli managed to get free at the back post and fired a shot that was well saved by Accies keeper Connelly.

Basel striker Tushi levelled things up after 34 minutes, Connelly spilling a Basel cross into the path of Tushi who tapped it into an empty net to level things up on the night.

Half Time:

Hamilton Academical FC

1-1

FC Basel 1893

Tushi looked hungry for his second goal after half-time and he nearly had it. Dejan Zunic's cross was turned wide by Tushi, who will have felt he should have hit the target with his close range effort. The Swiss side came close just minutes later, Yannick Marchand's long range effort going just over the bar.

Basel were in full control of the early second half, but Accies slowly grew into it as they looked to keep their away goal advantage. The strong home support was well behind their young side as they entered the final stages, looking the more likely to score after Basel's early dominance.

Reilly and Reegan Minmaugh came close with efforts from distance whilst Basel made attacking changes as both teams looked to go for the victory and seal progression to the next round.

It was heartbreak for Accies five minutes from time. Basel sub Gaudiano made Connelly pay for a loose ball out from the back, slotting the ball past the Accies keeper to seemingly crush Accies hopes of progression to the next round.

All hope was not lost for Accies however, as Sean Slaven's low shot nestled into the bottom corner in the 95th minute, which sent Accies to a penalty shootout with their Swiss foes.

Full Time:

Hamilton Academical FC

2-2

FC Basel 1893

He may have been kicking himself five minutes from time, but Accies keeper Ross Connelly was the hero soon after as his penalty saves sent Accies to the next round.
He saved the initial two Basel penalties as Accies stormed into a two goal advantage. Basel clawed it back to 2-2 to set up a nervy finish in Hamilton. It was Valentin Kaufmann versus Connelly for the final penalty, and the Accies keeper won, sending his side through to the next round of the UEFA Youth League, where they will face FC Midtjylland of Denmark.

Ross Connely stole the show at the end for Accies as his phenomenal penalty shootout performance sent Accies into the next round. He may have been hard on himself had Accies not progressed, but his penalty heroics ensured Hamilton were victorious.

Tician Tushi was the star man for Basel. His awareness and strength up top caused real problems for the Accies defence. He was constantly making runs in behind the defence and may be disappointed he only got one goal in the night.

Magic Moment

Hamilton Academical FC

FC Basel 1893

Connelly's third penalty save was the highlight for Accies as New Douglas park erupted into celebration. The frantic celebrations showed how much it means to everyone associated with Accies. It was a well deserved award for the hard work they had put into the game.

Whlist it wasn't to be for Basel, there celebrations when Gaudiano scored Basel's second will be a bitter sweet memory for the Swiss side. It was great at the time, but there celebrations came back to haunt them as the dreaded penalty shootout ended their Youth League campaign.